LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HORANCHI-2 (4D5B1E1d) MICROWATERSHED Hatthakuni & Yadgir Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Horanchi-2 Microwatershed was conducted using village cadastral maps and IRS satellite imagery on 1:7920 scale. The false colour composites of IRS imagery were interpreted for physiography and the physiographic delineations were used as base for mapping soils. The soils were studied in several transects and a soil map was prepared with phases of soil series as mapping units. Random checks were made all over the area outside the transects to confirm and validate the soil map unit boundaries. The soil map shows the geographic distribution and extent, characteristics, classification, behavior and use potentials of the soils in the microwatershed. The present study covers an area of 389 ha in Yadgir taluk & district, Karnataka. The climate is semiarid and categorized as drought-prone with an average annual rainfall of 866 mm, of which about 652 mm is received during south-west monsoon, 138 mm during north-east and the remaining 76 mm during the rest of the year. An area of 341 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, about 25 ha covered by rock outcrops and 23 ha by others (water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 10 soil series and 12 soil phases (management units) and 7 land management units.  The length of crop growing period is about 120-150 days starting from 1st week of June to 4th week of October.  From the master soil map, several interpretative and thematic maps like land capability, soil depth, surface soil texture, soil gravelliness, available water capacity, soil slope and soil erosion were generated.  Soil fertility status maps for macro and micronutrients were generated based on the surface soil samples collected at every 320 m grid interval.  Land suitability for growing 29 major agricultural and horticultural crops was assessed and maps showing the degree of suitability along with constraints were generated.  An area about 341 ha (88%) in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 49 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are deep to very deep (100 - >150 cm) 16 per cent soils are moderately deep (75-100) whereas 6 per cent soils are moderately shallow (50 -75 cm), 17 per cent soils are shallow (25 - 50 cm) in the microwatershed.  About 2 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 38 percent soils are loamy and 48 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  Maximum area of about 71 percent soils are non gravelly (<15%), about 10 percent is gravelly (15-35%) and 7 per cent soils are very gravelly in the microwatershed.  About 48 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 10 percent soils are medium (51-100), 12 per cent soils are low (51-100 mm/m) and 17 per cent area is very low (<50 mm/m) available water capacity.  About 69 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) land and 19 per cent is nearly level (0-1%) soils.  An area of about 69 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and 19 percent soils are slightly eroded (e1).  An area of about 4 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) in soil reaction, about 84 per cent soil are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is dominately <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  An area of about 13 per cent is low (<0.5%) in organic carbon, 66 percent is medium (0.50-0.75%) and 9 percent is high (>0.75%) in organic carbon content.  About 80 percent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus and 8 percent soils are high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is medium (145-337kg/ha) in available potassium.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is medium (10-20ppm) in available sulphur.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in a maximum area of about 63 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) of about 25 per cent soils.  Available iron content is sufficient (>4.5ppm) in an area of about 82 percent and deficient (<4.5ppm) is 6 per cent in the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed  The land suitability for 29 major crops grown in the microwatershed were assessed and the areas that are highly suitable (S1) and moderately suitable (S2) are given below. It is however to be noted that a given soil may be suitable for various crops but what specific crop to be grown may be decided by the farmer looking to his capacity to invest on various inputs, marketing infrastructure, market price and finally the demand and supply position. Land suitability for various crops in the Microwatershed Crop Suitability Area in ha (%) Crop Suitability Area in ha (%) Highly suitable (S1) Moderately suitable (S2) Highly suitable (S1) Moderately suitable (S2) Sorghum 114(29) 147(38) Guava - 50(13) Maize - 251(65) Sapota - 50(13) Bajra - 261(67) Pomegranate - 238(61) Groundnut - 50(13) Musambi 188(48) 50(13) Sunflower 114(29) 124(32) Lime 188(48) 50(13) Redgram - 238(61) Amla - 261(67) Bengal gram 188(48) 23(6) Cashew - - Cotton 114(29) 97(25) Jackfruit - 50(13) Chilli - 261(67) Jamun - 188(48) Tomato - 261(67) Custard apple 188(48) 73(18) Brinjal 16(4) 245(63) Tamarind - 188(48) Onion - 228(59) Mulberry - 50(13) Bhendi 90(23) 171(44) Marigold - 261(67) Drumstick - 238(61) Chrysanthemum - 261(67) Mango - 16(4)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the identified LMUs by considering only the highly and moderately suitable lands for different crops and cropping systems with food, fodder, fiber and horticulture crops.  Maintaining soil-health is vital to crop production and conserve soil and land resource base for maintaining ecological balance and to mitigate climate change. For this, several ameliorative measures have been suggested to these problematic soils like saline/alkali, highly eroded, sandy soils etc.  Soil and water conservation treatment plan has been prepared that would help in identifying the sites to be treated and also the type of structures required.  As part of the greening programme, several tree species have been suggested to be planted in marginal and submarginal lands, field bunds and also in the hillocks, mounds and ridges. This would help in not only supplementing the farm income but also provide fodder and fuel to generate lot of biomass which would help in maintaining an ecological balance and also contribute to mitigating the climate change. SALIENT FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY  The data on households sampled for socio economic survey indicated that 34 farmers were sampled in Horanchi-2 micro-watershed among them 4 (11.76 %) were landless, 13 (38.24 %) were marginal farmers, 11 (32.35 %) were small farmers, 5 (14.71 %) were semi medium farmers and 1 (2.94 %) were medium farmers.  The data indicated that there were 117 (56.80 %) men and 89 (43.20 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.25, marginal farmers’ was 5.15, small farmers’ was 7.27, semi medium farmers’ was 7.4 and medium farmers’ was 5.  The data indicated that, 55 (26.70 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 103 (50 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 36 (17.48 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 12 (5.83 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Horanchi-2had 45.63 per cent illiterates, 0.49 per cent Functional Literate, 23.30 per cent of them had primary school, 3.88 per cent of them had middle school, 12.62 per cent of them had high school education, 3.40 per cent of them had PUC, 0.49 per cent of them had Diploma and ITI, 2.43 per cent of them had Degree education and 1.94 per cent of them had Masters education.  The results indicate that, 88.24 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 8.82 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers and 2.94 cent of the household heads were General labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 55.83 per cent of the household members, 67.66 per cent were agricultural labourers, 1.94 per cent were in general labour, 2.43 per cent were private service, 22.82 per cent were students, 5.83 per cent were housewives and 5.83 per cent were children.  The results show that, 100 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicate that 20.59 per cent of the households possess Thatched house, 44.12 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 32.35 per cent of them possess Pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 70.59 per cent of the households possess TV, 50 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 2.94 per cent of the households possess bicycle, Computer/Laptop and Landline Phone, 47.06 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 5.88 per cent of the households possess Auto, 2.94 per cent of the households possess Tempo and 94.12 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 5,625, mixer/grinder was Rs. 2,250, Bicycle was Rs. 3,000, motor cycle was Rs. 53,312, Landline Phone was Rs. 5,000, Computer/Laptop was Rs. 35,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,360. 2  About 29.41 per cent of the households possess Bullock Cart, 44.12 per cent of the households possess plough, 11.76 per cent of the households possess Power Tiller, 5.88 per cent of them possess Tractor, Sprayer, Sprinkler and Thresher, 8.82 per cent of them possess Harvester and 52.94 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 14,200, plough was Rs. 2,153, Power Tiller was Rs. 78,250, Tractor was Rs. 650,000, sprayer was Rs. 4,000, sprinkler was Rs. 5,500, Harvester was Rs. 76, Thresher was Rs. 100 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 202.  The results indicate that, 32.35 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 23.53 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.94 per cent of the households possess Crossbred cow, 8.82 per cent of the households possess Goat and 5.88 per cent of the households possess Poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.73, average own labour (women) available was 1.47, average hired labour (men) available was 9.37 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.63.  In case of marginal farmers, average own labour men available was 1.38, average own labour (women) was 1.23, average hired labour (men) was 8.69 and average hired labour (women) available was 8.69. In case of small farmers, average own labour men available was 2, average own labour (women) was 1.82, average hired labour (men) was 7.91 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.73. In case of semi medium farmers, average own labour men available was 2, average own labour (women) was 1.40, average hired labour (men) was 14.20 and average hired labour (women) available was 15.20. In case of medium farmers, average own labour men available was 2 and average own labour (women) was 1, average hired labour (men) was 10 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.63.  The results indicate that, 91.18 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, 3.85 per cent of the households have migrated in the microwatershed.  The results indicate that, the average distance of migrated households was 2800 kms and average duration was for 4 months.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households opined that Job/wage/work was the main purpose of migration.  The results indicate that, households of the Horanchi-2 micro-watershed possess 22.94 ha (64.46 %) of dry land, 9.41 ha (26.44 %) of irrigated land and 3.24 ha (9.10 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 7.25 ha (92.94 %) of dry land and 0.55 ha (7.06 %) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 12.41 ha (83.22 %) of dry land and 2.50 ha (16.78 %) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 0.45 ha (6.60 %) of dry land and 6.36 ha (93.40 %) of irrigated land. 3 Medium farmers possess 2.83 ha (46.67 %) and 3.24 ha (53.33 %) of Permanent Fallow land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 374,770.64, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 339,956.99 and the average value of Permanent Fallow land was Rs. 247,000. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 602,092.13 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 908,088.23 for Irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 306,131.77 for dry land and Rs. 859,130.45 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 445,045.04 for dry land and Rs. 298,726.93 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 352,857.14 for dry land.  The results indicate that, there were 1 De-functioning and 8 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, there were 1 functioning open wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 23.53 per cent of the farmers and Open Well was the irrigation source in the micro water shed for 5.88 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 15.65 meters and the depth of open well was found to be 2.15 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small and semi medium farmers had an irrigated area of 1.08 ha, 4.92 ha and 4.25 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (4.19 ha), green gram (5.88 ha), groundnut (2.23 ha), Paddy (4.72 ha), red gram (10.19 ha) and sorghum (1.21 ha). Marginal farmers have grown red gram, paddy, cotton and green gram. Small farmers have grown cotton, groundnut, sorghum, red gram, green gram and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown cotton, red gram, paddy and groundnut. Medium farmers have grown red gram and sorghum.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Horanchi-2 micro-watershed was found to be 86.14 per cent.  The results indicate that, 67.65 per cent of the households have bank account and 2.94 per cent of the households have savings.  The results indicate that, 64.71 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 229722.04. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 109333.82. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. -120388.22. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.48.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 39928.01. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 47145.61. The net 4 income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 7217.60. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.18.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 55704.62. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 68428.15. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 12723.53. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.23.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 34552.12. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 48332.75. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 13780.63. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.4.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 50898.75. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 59280. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. 8381.25. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.16.  The results indicate that, 29.41 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 20.59 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 114,889 for for marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 149,763.64, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 119,000 and medium farmers it was Rs. 290,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 441,909.32. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 11,598.62, for small farmers it was Rs. 17,066.12, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 8,680 and medium farmers it was Rs. 60,000.  The results indicate that, households have planted 64 Neem, 5 Acacia, 16 Banyan and 1 tamarind trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 4,647.06 for land development, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 705.88 for Irrigation facility, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 2,323.53 for improved crop production and households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 617.65 improved livestock management.  The results indicated that Loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 38.24 per cent for land development, 11.76 per cent for irrigation facility, 35.29 per cent for improved crop production and 11.76 per cent for improved livestock management. Own funds was the source of additional investment for 2.94 per cent for land development.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 84.41 per cent, Green gram was sold to the extent of 98.91 per cent, Groundnut was sold to the extent of 82.61 per cent, Paddy was sold to the extent of 44.05 per cent, Red gram was sold to the extent of 100 per cent and sorghum to the extent of 75 per cent. 5  The results indicated that, about 100 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 82.35 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 88.24 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 97.06 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel and 2.94 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 97.06 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and Bore Well was the major source of drinking water for 2.94 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 29.41 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 94.12 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals and Pulses were adequate for 100 per cent of the households, Oilseed were adequate for 94.12 per cent of the households, Vegetables were adequate for 79.41 per cent, Egg were adequate for 8.82 per cent, Fruits were adequate for 2.94 per cent and Milk and were adequate for 82.35 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 29.41 per cent of the households, Pulses were inadequate for 20.59 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 5.88 per cent, vegetables and milk were inadequate for 17.65 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 97.06 per cent, Egg were inadequate for 91.18 per cent of the households and Meat was inadequate for 100 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil and Wild animal menace on farm field were the constraint experienced by 88.24 per cent of the households, frequent incidence of pest and diseases (82.35 %), High cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals, Lack of marketing facilities in the area and High rate of interest on credit (85.29 %), Inadequacy of irrigation water (14.71 %), Low price for the agricultural commodities (76.47 %), Inadequate extension services (17.65 %) and Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (79.41 %), Less rainfall (2.94 %) and Source of Agri-technology information(Newspaper/TV/Mobile) (8.82 %).